Many parts of the Philippines were shaken by a 6.1 magnitude earthquake yesterday but so far, most of the damage reportedly occurred in the Central Luzon province of Pampanga.
At least 102 people were reportedly injured in the province, according to Radyo Inquirer. At least five people died in the Chuzon Supermarket in Porac, Pampanga. The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office in Pampanga recorded three other casualties in the same town, ABS-CBN News reported.
The quake also killed Lubao, Pampanga resident Maria Oliva Paule, 56, and her 7-year-old granddaughter Niela Dennise. According to the same report, another death was recorded in San Marcelino, Zambales, a nearby province.
Several structures in Pampanga also suffered damages, including the Clark International Airport in Angeles City. Photos shared by Twitter user @lancelauren_ show that its ceilings and some walls had collapsed.
At least seven people were also injured after the ceiling above the check-in counters fell on them, GMA News reported.
CLARK AIRPORT. GRABE GUYS STAY SAFE :–( pic.twitter.com/X21dIa4C8z
— Lance Lauren (@lancelauren_) April 22, 2019
The airport has been closed and operations were suspended for 24 hours following the incident. Other structures like churches, grocery stores, and homes were also destroyed. It also resulted in power outages in Pampanga and neighboring provinces.
Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda told CNN Philippines today that she has recommended placing the province under a state of calamity.
The destruction has moved netizens to use the hashtag #PrayForPampanga, which is currently the number two trending topic on Philippine Twitter.
Twitter user @eighteightynyn shared photos of what she said was her sister’s house in Porac after the earthquake.
“We are just grateful that none of us, (especially) children got hurt,” she said. “We are beyond grateful… You can build walls back up, but u cannot bring back lives… I am just very grateful that we are all safe.”
https://twitter.com/eighteightynyn/status/1120499884824698880
@epmendoza14 said it was the scariest earthquake he has experienced.
“In my 27 years of existence, this has been the scariest and traumatic earthquake experience I ever had. I felt it. We swayed. It also saddens me to see how my province suffered from that quake. We need your prayers,” he wrote.
https://twitter.com/epmendoza14/status/1120456830570979328
@oxyjenless, meanwhile, said she had trouble sleeping because she was afraid there would be another earthquake.
“How to sleep knowing that you’re not safe and there’s a possibility that the earthquake might strike again?”
https://twitter.com/oxyjenless/status/1120391927134863366
@magicheart21 wanted to inspire fellow Pampanga residents and said that if they were able to get over the devastating Mount Pinatubo eruption in 1991, they can make it through this as well.
“Prayers for all the victims and their families. We rose from the ashes of Mount Pinatubo, we will rise again from the rubble, Cabalens.”
Prayers for all the victims and their families. 🙏
We rose from the ashes of Mount Pinatubo, we will rise again from the rubble, Cabalens. #PrayForPampanga 🙏
— magicheart21 💖 (@magicheart21) April 22, 2019
The earthquake happened at around 5:11pm yesterday and was felt in other parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila. Office workers immediately evacuated high-rise buildings, while some offices and schools suspended operations. Work in Metro Manila government offices is still suspended today.
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